In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Central Thought

Take away our “daily bread”—namely, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the homes that shelter us, the government that protects us—and we die.

Since these things are so important, why do we take them for granted and not express gratitude for them?

Read Exodus 16:1–21. What was challenging to the Israelites about the way God provided?

✠ As Christians, we pray that we might be grateful for everything (however ordinary) that God provides each day for our bodily life.

What habits and practices can help me to better recognize how God sustains my life each day?

OT Isaiah 55:1-9

Ephesians 5:15-21

Holy Gospel Matthew 22:1-14

Gracious Father, You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living creature. Teach us to acknowledge You as the Lord who provides for all of our needs in body and soul and so give thanks to You for all of Your bountiful gifts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

*The Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed, central thought and closing prayer are from the 2017 Luther’s Small Catechism

Luther. (2017). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.